SCHMIDT BY YOUR SIDE
Becoming your own boss. It may sound like a dream for many employees, but only a handful are brave enough to take the plunge and overcome the fear of striking out alone that deters most.
To help you make the transition from employee to boss, Schmidt has set up a range of different support programmes.
| Financing: our accurate cost estimate will give you a clear overview of how much it will cost to get your showroom up and running, complete with a financing plan with your bank and Schmidt. | Training: you will be taught about the theory by our instructors at our approved training centre. You will also receive in-store practical training from one of our business professionals. |
| Recruitment: you will receive support from our best human resources partners in building your team. | Launch your showroom: once your showroom’s doors open for business, you will be supported by a team of professionals. |
In two words: continuous SUPPORT to make your project a REALITY.
Finance your store and live the entrepreneurial dream
To get your business off to the right start, we would recommend a personal investment of at least €60K. Your bank loan will help fund the building and shop-fitting work, while Schmidt will help you finance the showroom concept, representing up to 30% of the investment.
Leveraging our national banking agreements, your application will be presented to five partner banks, which will promptly return a personalised financing plan.
Three partners for financing your showroom:
You with your personal investment of at least €60K
One of our banking partners
Schmidt
We will provide guidance when approaching your banking partner to set up your chosen financing solution. We have also signed national partnerships with choice banking networks.
Training - the springboard for your new career
14 weeks of theoretical and practical training to learn all about:
The specific features of the product
Our sales methodology
The administrative organisation
Legislation
Our dedicated software
Human resources management
The appropriate management tools
After several weeks’ training, partly in your country and partly in France, you will be all set to get your business off to a flying start.
Hire a winning team
Giving you support during your recruitment drive to ensure the best results - that is the aim of the partnerships that we have set up.
In partnership with specialist recruitment firms, Schmidt sets up recruitment support programmes targeting designers and sales executives. Specific tools have been developed for our network. The aim is to get your business off the ground with a full and able team to deliver high performance right from day one.
The crucially important step of a successful showroom opening
For each new showroom opening, Schmidt is there to support the new bosses.
During the first few months, a team of handpicked experts will help get your business running smoothly.
Organisation - Sales - Coordination - Management - IT: nothing will be left to chance.
Independent, but not alone
In addition to providing assistance from day one, your area manager will be on hand throughout the life of your showroom. The area manager is your first port of call for all types of information (new products, sales management and pull-through, market information, the network, and much more).
In practical terms, you are in direct contact with the network expansion manager until your showroom opens, following which the area manager takes over. The area manager will pay you frequent visits.
Both managers will help you:
Analyse the catchment area.
Search for business premises.
Work out the financing plan.
Recruit staff.
Receive business training.
Develop your showroom’s turnover and profitability.
Manage your company.
Manage your team, etc.
Continuous assistance with over 100 people at your service.
Schmidt is on hand every day to help you manage your showroom. Assisted by the head office’s support services, you will receive marketing advice, IT support, sales administration assistance, recommendations for your showroom’s layout, and so on.
You can also take part in monthly regional meetings. These meetings enable dealers to share experiences and best practices in a bid to improve performance.
Create your business with Schmidt: four stages for you to decide
1st meeting: let’s get to know each other.
2nd meeting: we will answer your questions.
3rd meeting: discover our concept in an actual showroom and chat with a showroom owner.
4th meeting: discover our head office and your future head office contacts in Alsace, France.
Your store will quickly generate profits
A store concept just as successful and representative inside as it is outside (showroom in Colmar, France).
No entry fees or royalties.
No inventory: sales are generated exclusively from furniture made to specification.
A negative working capital requirement: a down payment is made when placing the order.
A 43% gross margin.
A quick return on investment: on average, a Schmidt showroom pays for itself in only two years (after the start-up year).
After two years of continuous business, the average turnover reported by stores in the network is €1.9 million, including tax.
There are two possibilities for generating profits with Schmidt: create a new showroom or take over an existing showroom.